Mikestang Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I found something while meteorite hunting in the Bristol Mts. this past weekend and I cannot convince myself it is not a meteorite. I've got a nice collection of meteorwrongs that are things I've spotted from a distance, but as soon as they were in my hand it was obvious they were terrestrial, but this one has me waffling back and forth. I've posted about it in a few spots on the net already, so my apologies if you've already seen my picts, but I'm looking for opinions as to what it may be. Granted that's tough to do from a photo, I really need to cut it open (I don't want to file a window into it for fear of what it might look like when I'm done with it, and if it does turn out to be something I don't want an ugly file mark on it), but for the time being all I've got to go on is its look and bulk density.I thought it was a piece of charcoal when I noticed it standing out against everything else, and I picked it up very idly thinking I would just toss it aside, but when I looked at it up close, it sure looks an awful lot like a fusion crusted fresh stone. Under a 10, 30, and 45 power loupe it still looks a lot like fusion crust, convincingly so, but it just doesn't seem like a meteorite. There was nothing else like it in the area, or any where else in all the miles the six of us covered.This thing weighs 20.45g, is not attracted to a magnet, and does not register on the GB2. Its bulk density is very low (relatively speaking), only 2.4 g/cc, another signal to me it's probably not a meteorite; it's not friable enough to be a CI or CM and those are the only meteorites I know of that have BD's that low (maybe some eucrites?). I have to say it photographs well, and in person it is much more dubious. It sure is curious looking. Anyone have an idea what looks like this that is not a meteorite? Every mineral or compound I've found that has a similar bulk density bears no resemblance.click for macro pict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Hi Mike-The first thing that came to my mind was obsidian. The second is a tektite. Density would probably be similar in either case. If it's not either of those, I don't have a clue. You don't say if a streak test was done. Interesting find and hope someone can indentify it.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Hey, Steve. Obsidian has been suggested, but all the obsidian I've seen has been smooth and glassy, not crusty like this one. If you could link me some picts of frothy obsidian I'd love to compare. But yea, there are a few glasses that have similar BDs, and once I can get it cut I think it'll be obvious if it is some sort of glass. I did not streak test it because I did not window it, and like I wrote if it did turn out to be something I don't want to mark up the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Mike-I found this although I'm not 100% sure it solves the indentity.http://www.tektites.co.uk/tektite-tests.htmlI do know quite a bit of obsidian is smooth because they put it in tumblers to shine and sell in tourist traps,etc. Can't seem to find any unpolished nodules on google images although I have seen plenty in my lifetime.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I have a pile of obsidian nodules in my yard and non look like that. Tektite came to my mind also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredmason Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 You have nothing to lose by cutting a small window...use a whetstone first the course side then the fine side...a file can comtaminate the stone...looks interesting...fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Ron Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I have one like that I found someplace in the Vulture Mountains ... I just thought it was obsidian and stuck it on my "interesting finds" shelf ... Guess I'll have to revisit it ... I don't remember exactly where I found it and I didn't/don't know anything about tektites ... I'll try to get a photo up ... Cheers, Unc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredmason Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Mike, how about a pic of the end where your thumb is...I am wondering what the bumpy area looks like up close...fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I have a pile of obsidian nodules in my yard and non look like that. Tektite came to my mind alsoI believe the surface textures could be due to the environment. I recall seeing some obsidian from Tonopah that had a rough texured surface.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homefire Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I have some Apache Tears that look like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 Fred,Here are a few more picts of the "thumb" end, the other end, and the bottom (the side that was on the ground when I found it)."Thumb side" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 These didn't turn out quite as sharp as I hoped, darn camera keeps focusing on my fingertips.Other sideBottomSteve and 'homefire',I would appreciate any pictures you have of similar objects. Odds are it is some sort of obsidian, but I haven't seen any samples or pictures that looks like it.Thanks,Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldfinger Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Mike- I found these obsidian nodules pictures online. Look similar to what you have in the sense they have textured surfaces and not the smooth ones like we typically see on obsidian.Jason- It could very well be but the only way to find out would be chip it or break it open.Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredmason Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Thanks mike...I still think you need to window it...doing that will not damage the value...and will help identify what you have...fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Hey, Steve. Obsidian has been suggested, but all the obsidian I've seen has been smooth and glassy, not crusty like this one. If you could link me some picts of frothy obsidian I'd love to compare. But yea, there are a few glasses that have similar BDs, and once I can get it cut I think it'll be obvious if it is some sort of glass. I did not streak test it because I did not window it, and like I wrote if it did turn out to be something I don't want to mark up the outside. I have a whole jar full of crusty Apache tears (obsidian) that look very similar, I'll see if I can find them and get a photo for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim K Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi Mike, your find reminds me of some of the crusty basalts that I find here in Illinois. There density usually ranges from 2.4 to 3.0. Most of them attract a magnet and set off my GMT MD, but not all of them. Here's a photo of one that I found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 Got it back from the saw, confirmed it was obsidian 100% after seeing the inside. Into my "cool rock" container it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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